Abstract Parsley and watercress samples acquired in street‐markets in Rio de Janeiro were screened for the presence of Aeromonas on the day of the purchase without refrigeration and after 7 days of storage at 5C. Thirty‐nine Aeromonas strains were isolated from both refrigerated and nonrefrigerated samples and were identified as A. caviae strains(21;5), A. hydrophila strains(1;6) and Aeromonas sp. strains(5;1) from watercress and parsley, respectively. Enterotoxin production, hemolysin, protease activity and resistance profiles were investigated among the strains isolated. Seventeen (51.5 %) Aeromonas strains were classified as enterotoxigenic. By employing “L” agar containing washed rabbit erythrocytes 16 (48.5%) hemolytic strains were detected. All strains analyzed were able to produce protease. Among strains evaluated 39% showed resistance to trimethoprim and 21 % to gentamicin. As these vegetables are usually consumed raw, they can pose a risk especially for immunocompromised individuals.